Ultras Using Children, Mentally-challenged People: Army

11 August 2005The Indian Express

Jammu: Terrorists are using children and mentally challenged people in their operations in Jammu and Kashmir because of increased surveillance by security personnel and a decline in local support, the Army said today.The ultras are now using children and mentally challenged persons for planting Improvised Explosive Devises in (IED) Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, an Army spokesman said here. 'Since the help to ultras from people is reducing, they had turned their attention to unsuspecting children whose innocence is being exploited to the fullest in these two border districts,' he said. Terrorists forced a mentally challenged person identified as Shaukat Hussain to carry an IED targetted against security personnel on July 12 at Nandiali in Poonch district, he said. But unfortunately the IED suddenly exploded, killing the boy. In another incident on the same day, one Mohammad Akram of Danna village near Kulali sustained serious injuries when a grenade, given to him by terrorists to throw on security men exploded in his hand, he said. A week later, a girl identified as Tahira of Pangai village in Poonch, was severely injured when an IED exploded which she was supposed to plant on a road used by security personnel, he said. With the elimination of their senior leaders, the ultras have realised that they are fast loosing ground in these border districts, the spokesman said. 'This have not only sent shock waves in their cadres but also to their mentors across the LoC,' he said. Now they are trying to regain control over the population by fear and coercion, he added.